ENGLISH
Staff
Head of English/member of the Extended Leadership Team: Miss Z Johnston
Lead Teacher of English KS3: Ms Rose
Lead Teacher of English KS4: Miss L Redfern
Teacher: Ms Z Batool
Teacher: Mrs A Phillips
Teacher/Lead teacher of PSHE: Ms P Silverlock
Teacher/ Head of House (Reading responsibility): K Gould
Teacher of English: Mr H Jones
Introduction
A warm welcome to the English Department.
We are enthusiastic teachers of the subject and hope to inspire our pupils with a lasting love of reading and to enable them to be confident users of the English language. We are keen for the pupils to enjoy lessons as much as possible by including opportunities to engage in a variety of different activities. The English Department achieves excellent results and we hope to continue this tradition.
Intent
English lessons are engaging and challenging for all, taught in vibrant learning environments. All pupils are encouraged to fulfil their true potential and teachers have high expectations of all learners.
The English department inspires all pupils with a lasting love of reading and enables them to be confident users of the English language through a broad, balanced and aspirational curriculum. Our spiral curriculum allows pupils to build on prior learning through opportunities to read and respond to whole books and extracts. Pupils write creatively and analytically, with an understanding that written and spoken language skills are imperative in ensuring effective and clear communication.
Pupils explore texts that both relate to them and develop their cultural capital opportunities and character virtues. Pupils study and respond to a range of texts, across many periods and cultures, including texts written by inspirational women, allowing them to develop empathy for others’ experiences and the greater world around them.
Through their studies in English, pupils are given the skills, knowledge and creativity to prepare them for the next stage of education, training or employment.
Curriculum Overview
Key Stage 3
At KS3, excellent schemes of work ensure that pupils study poetry, plays and novels, in addition to non-fiction texts. Pupils are given the opportunity to read whole books as well as extracts, across many periods and cultures, including texts written by inspirational women. In addition, lots of opportunities are given for pupils to write creatively, expanding their use of a range of devices and vocabulary. Pupils regularly set and review their own individual targets and track their progress. Homework is set and completed weekly and pupils are encouraged to research, explore and work independently at home. Pupils are tested on entry and their progress is monitored throughout the key stage. Reading is widely promoted and pupils will read additional books in their weekly reading sessions.
Key Stage 4
At KS4, pupils are entered for two GCSEs: English Language and English Literature. We follow the AQA specifications for English Literature in both Year 10 and Year 11. A variety of texts are studied, covering both modern and pre-1900 writers including: Shakespeare, J, B Priestley and Dickens. At this stage of the curriculum, pupils will apply the skills they have learnt at KS3, deepening their knowledge of writer’s craft. The teachers support pupils throughout the course, offering additional support to ensure that all pupils achieve to the best of their ability.
Exam Board
English Literature – AQA
English Language – AQA
Extra-curricular Activities
In addition to our work in the classroom, we are keen to provide pupils with opportunities to join in with extra-curricular clubs and other initiatives. Visiting theatre companies also regularly perform at the school and we have strong links with the Drama Department. Pupils have also watched performances of plays such as 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' and 'Romeo and Juliet' at theatres across the country. We are also keen to encourage budding writers to enter various writing competitions such as our poetry and short story competitions. Traditionally the pupils have met with great success.
Useful Links
